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Killer Deal: Brand new mid-2011 11.6" MacBook Air for $699

post #1 of 33
11/21/12 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
While Apple's often modest Black Friday sale won't kick off for another day, the company's authorize resellers are already in the process of updating their pricing and releasing door busters, like a brand new 11.6-inch MacBook Air for $699.

MacBook Air for $699


The $699 price from MacConnection is available only while supplies last, and they're said to be extremely limited. This model (MC968LL/A) includes an 1.6MHz Intel Core i5 Dual Core processor, 2GB DDR3 SDRAM and 64GB Flash SSD Drive. It's a brand new computer, left over from the previous release. At $699, it's the lowest price we've ever seen for this model (and any new-in-box MacBook for that matter).

Similarly, MacConnection also currently offers the lowest prices on the brand new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (2.5GHz/8GB/128GB) at $1,559.00 ($140 off), the non-retina 15-inch MacBook Pro (2.3GHz/3GB/500GB HDD) at $1,649.00 ($150 off) and the latest 2.50GHz Dual Core i5 Mac mini at $549.00 ($50 off)

You can see the latest prices on all of Apple's Mac products in AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide, which is updated continuously.
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post #2 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:18pm
Reading this article, it's priced so low because it contains only a "1.6MHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor". That wouldn't even be enough to fire up MacWrite.
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post #3 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:23pm
That%u2019s plenty of performance for most people. The SSD%u2019s speed boost is far more noticeable than fractions of GHz or i5 vs i7.

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post #4 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:28pm
Baseline of 4GB of RAM for $699 is a good deal. 2GB is simply: not a chance.
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post #5 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nagromme View Post

That%u2019s plenty of performance for most people. The SSD%u2019s speed boost is far more noticeable than fractions of GHz or i5 vs i7.

 

While you're correct, I believe that WardC was just getting a dig at the site for using 1.6MHz rather than 1.6GHz in the article text.

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Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face? - Jack D. Ripper
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post #6 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:36pm
But the 2GB of RAM is a terribly inadequate for running Lion or Mountain Lion. Don't do it. Just don't do it.
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post #7 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bancho View Post

While you're correct, I believe that WardC was just getting a dig at the site for using 1.6MHz rather than 1.6GHz in the article text.

Ironic, isn't it? A site writing about a company that mainly deals with details but isn't able to write in detail.
Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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post #8 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WardC View Post

Reading this article, it's priced so low because it contains only a "1.6MHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor". That wouldn't even be enough to fire up MacWrite.

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bancho View Post

 

While you're correct, I believe that WardC was just getting a dig at the site for using 1.6MHz rather than 1.6GHz in the article text.

 

 

 

Haha!  1.6MHz is just a hair faster than an Apple II+!

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post #9 of 33
11/21/12 at 2:55pm

Is RAM upgradeable?

Patiently awaiting my Haswell MacBook Air

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Patiently awaiting my Haswell MacBook Air

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post #10 of 33
11/21/12 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hentaiboy View Post

Is RAM upgradeable?

No, so if this is something you're interested in, make sure 2GB would be adequate. I'd personally prefer more, but in a basic machine for browsing, basic office tasks, email, etc... it may be fine.

Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face? - Jack D. Ripper
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Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face? - Jack D. Ripper
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post #11 of 33
11/21/12 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by overstim View Post

But the 2GB of RAM is a terribly inadequate for running Lion or Mountain Lion. Don't do it. Just don't do it.

You'd be surprised.  The SSD vs HDD makes a huge difference, far more than going from 2-->4 GB of RAM.

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post #12 of 33
11/21/12 at 3:10pm

Don't you need close to 2 gigs just to run Mountain Lion? 

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post #13 of 33
11/21/12 at 3:13pm

Can't tell how much shiping costs.

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post #14 of 33
11/21/12 at 3:16pm

I'm writing from a:

- Processor  2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

- Memory  2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

 

While the system doesn't blow anyone away, it's a nice little portable system. When I need to do some serious data crunching, I use my desktop.

 

I find this system is find for base tasks, but I wouldn't try throwing Photoshop type stuff at it.

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post #15 of 33
11/21/12 at 3:16pm
2 GB is way too low. I got the 4 GB 13"

 

 


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post #16 of 33
11/21/12 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hface119 View Post

Don't you need close to 2 gigs just to run Mountain Lion? 

There is no such rule of thumb.  If you "run out" of RAM the system doesn't turn off, and with a SSD, any time the system needs to use virtual memory, performance is still excellent.

 

If you have a computer from 2010 or earlier WITH A HDD there is nearly a 100% chance that this will make your computer feel very slow.

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post #17 of 33
11/21/12 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bancho View Post

No, so if this is something you're interested in, make sure 2GB would be adequate. I'd personally prefer more, but in a basic machine for browsing, basic office tasks, email, etc... it may be fine.

 

No.  Dont do 2gb.  Just dont.

 

4gb is good, 8gb is much better..

Household: MacBook, iPad 16gb wifi, iPad 64gb wifi, iPad Mini 32gb, iPhone 4S 32gb, iPhone 32gb, iPod Touch 4th gen x2, iPod touch 16gb gen 2, iPod nano 16gb gen 5 x2, iPod nano gen 3 8gb, iPod...

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Household: MacBook, iPad 16gb wifi, iPad 64gb wifi, iPad Mini 32gb, iPhone 4S 32gb, iPhone 32gb, iPod Touch 4th gen x2, iPod touch 16gb gen 2, iPod nano 16gb gen 5 x2, iPod nano gen 3 8gb, iPod...

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post #18 of 33
11/21/12 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh View Post

I'm writing from a:

- Processor  2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

- Memory  2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

 

While the system doesn't blow anyone away, it's a nice little portable system. When I need to do some serious data crunching, I use my desktop.

 

I find this system is find for base tasks, but I wouldn't try throwing Photoshop type stuff at it.

 

I run a 2.4ghz core2duo.  When running off 2gb it lagged, even doing simple tasks.  Struggled switching between tasks, without constant loading.  Itunes was a pig, even with a modest library.  I also have a netbook running a 1,6ghz single core atom, 2gb of memory, running windows 7, and it opened software quicker than my macbook - absolutely frustrating. 

 

Upgrading to Mountain Lion didnt help.

 

8gb did the trick.

Household: MacBook, iPad 16gb wifi, iPad 64gb wifi, iPad Mini 32gb, iPhone 4S 32gb, iPhone 32gb, iPod Touch 4th gen x2, iPod touch 16gb gen 2, iPod nano 16gb gen 5 x2, iPod nano gen 3 8gb, iPod...

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Household: MacBook, iPad 16gb wifi, iPad 64gb wifi, iPad Mini 32gb, iPhone 4S 32gb, iPhone 32gb, iPod Touch 4th gen x2, iPod touch 16gb gen 2, iPod nano 16gb gen 5 x2, iPod nano gen 3 8gb, iPod...

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post #19 of 33
11/21/12 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WardC View Post

Reading this article, it's priced so low because it contains only a "1.6MHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor". That wouldn't even be enough to fire up MacWrite.

 

And yet MacWrite ran on the 8Mhz Motorola 68000.

I assume you're making fun of Intel's 1600Mhz Core i5.

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"And just like that, everyone here realizes you're just another sweaty little Google licker with an axe to grind and no idea what he's talking about." --addabox
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post #20 of 33
11/21/12 at 11:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post

 

And yet MacWrite ran on the 8Mhz Motorola 68000.

I assume you're making fun of Intel's 1600Mhz Core i5.

As has been stated before, he's making fun of that Ai writer's sloppiness.

See, that 8MHz 68k processor is still way faster that a 1.6MHz non-existent Intel CPU. That's the point.

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Social Capitalist, dreamer and wise enough to know I'm never going to grow up anyway... so not trying anymore.

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post #21 of 33
11/21/12 at 11:49pm

While I enjoy my Macbook Pro, I also enjoy my late 2012 Acer 11.6" netbook.  It cost $239 refurb.  Dual core Celeron 877 1.4 Ghz, 4GB RAM, 500GB low profile hard drive.  It's actually gets away with being a real computer (just.)

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post #22 of 33
11/22/12 at 12:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cycomiko View Post

I run a 2.4ghz core2duo.  When running off 2gb it lagged, even doing simple tasks.  Struggled switching between tasks, without constant loading.  Itunes was a pig, even with a modest library.  I also have a netbook running a 1,6ghz single core atom, 2gb of memory, running windows 7, and it opened software quicker than my macbook - absolutely frustrating. 

Upgrading to Mountain Lion didnt help.

8gb did the trick.

I presume you're onn HDD. I think a 2GB RAM with a SSD will be sufficient for basic browsing etcetera. In which case this $699 is a steal.
Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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post #23 of 33
11/22/12 at 3:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie View Post


I presume you're onn HDD. I think a 2GB RAM with a SSD will be sufficient for basic browsing etcetera. In which case this $699 is a steal.

With that price you can buy a 32gb iPad plus smart cover.

 

Only a stupid would buy this.

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post #24 of 33
11/22/12 at 6:31am
I actually think I might go for a sale like that, with my photo hobby and using Aperture on a daily basis. Than again, looking at all my Mac stuff I always max out the specs.

Still, one can disable a lot of stuff so that OSX doesn't need a whole gig for its kernel to run.
Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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post #25 of 33
11/22/12 at 7:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie View Post

I actually think I might go for a sale like that, with my photo hobby and using Aperture on a daily basis. Than again, looking at all my Mac stuff I always max out the specs.
Still, one can disable a lot of stuff so that OSX doesn't need a whole gig for its kernel to run.

Like what, and how?

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post #26 of 33
11/22/12 at 2:48pm
Read up on launchd and other Unix commands. Disable unused Fonts. Check out:
http://hintsforums.macworld.com/showthread.php?t=117236&goto=newpost
http://www.stclairsoft.com/AppTamer/
Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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Even if you disagree, he is entitled to his opinion, isn't he? Just as you're entitled to your blinders? (Stelligent)
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post #27 of 33
11/22/12 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie View Post

Read up on launchd and other Unix commands. Disable unused Fonts. Check out:
http://hintsforums.macworld.com/showthread.php?t=117236&goto=newpost
http://www.stclairsoft.com/AppTamer/

Here sir, take my like.

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post #28 of 33
11/22/12 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie View Post

I presume you're onn HDD. I think a 2GB RAM with a SSD will be sufficient for basic browsing etcetera. In which case this $699 is a steal.

It's cheaper to double the RAM than to swap out a 500GB HDD for a 60GB SSD or 128GB SSD.

Sorry, but the baseline for OS X 10.8 and the soon 10.9 should be 8GB with a mid-range upgrade of 16GB and a maximum of 32GB.

Multi-tasking between processes that involves rebuilding libraries, clang/llvm, with 2GB is a joke.
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post #29 of 33
11/23/12 at 6:47am
Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer View Post
Multi-tasking between processes that involves rebuilding libraries, clang/llvm, with 2GB is a joke.

 

Here's the big question: is this necessary? Do you think they could slim down usage? I realize you're not privy to their internal code, but going off your experiences with its predecessor… 

PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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post #30 of 33
11/23/12 at 6:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer View Post


It's cheaper to double the RAM than to swap out a 500GB HDD for a 60GB SSD or 128GB SSD.
Sorry, but the baseline for OS X 10.8 and the soon 10.9 should be 8GB with a mid-range upgrade of 16GB and a maximum of 32GB.
Multi-tasking between processes that involves rebuilding libraries, clang/llvm, with 2GB is a joke.

It's impossible to do either in the realm of this discussion.  This is about whether the 2GB air will run well, and it will.  You clearly have never used it, so I'm not sure why you're voicing an opinion since it is guaranteed to be uninformed.

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post #31 of 33
11/23/12 at 7:10am
Originally Posted by cameronj View Post
You clearly have never used it…

 

Whoa now, I imagine it's quite possible that he has tried out Mountain Lion on 2GB of RAM before. Not guaranteed, but possible.

PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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post #32 of 33
11/23/12 at 8:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

 

Whoa now, I imagine it's quite possible that he has tried out Mountain Lion on 2GB of RAM before. Not guaranteed, but possible.

That's not the question.  He's claiming that this computer won't perform.  It will, and he's never used it if he thinks it won't.

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post #33 of 33
11/23/12 at 9:21am
Originally Posted by cameronj View Post
That's not the question.  He's claiming that this computer won't perform.  It will, and he's never used it if he thinks it won't.

 

I don't think he meant that; he did say multitasking. It'll run, sure, but open more than a few applications at once and…

PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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